Tue, Jun 03, 2003
A380 Starts 5000psi Club
Eaton Corporation and Airbus have now unveiled the
world's first 5000-psi commercial aircraft hydraulic pump,
specifically designed for the world's largest passenger aircraft --
the Airbus A380.
Fluid dynamics 101:
The
application of this new higher-pressure standard for fluid power
generation on a commercial aircraft will allow Airbus to achieve
significant weight savings by reducing the diameter of the
hydraulic fluid lines and the size of the components that operate
the aircraft's primary flight control system.
Craig Arnold, senior vice president and group executive for
Eaton's Fluid Power business, explained, "By elevating the
hydraulic system pressure standard for commercial passenger
aircraft from 3000-psi to 5000-psi, Eaton and Airbus will be able
to reduce aircraft weight, increase reliability and improve
operational performance."
Several of the innovative 5,000-psi hydraulic
pumps will begin pre-qualification testing this month. Airbus said
the first flight of the A380 with the new hydraulic system will be
in late 2004 with commercial service to begin in 2006.
Eight Vickers-brand 5000-psi hydraulic pumps will provide fluid
power to the aircraft's primary flight controls, landing gear, nose
wheel steering and other aircraft utility systems. These
higher-pressure pumps will also be the first commercial units
designed to mechanically disengage from the main engine gearbox,
preventing any fluid contamination from entering the hydraulic
system, and significantly improving operational availability to the
service airline.
The total Eaton system includes eight
engine-driven hydraulic pumps (above) per aircraft and four
5000-psi AC motor pumps (lower photo) with associated
electronic controls and protection systems.
Airbus announced in October of 2001 that Eaton won the hydraulic
system contract for the A380.
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